Ahead Of 2015: PDP Launches New Agenda

Though it is a whole three years before the next general election takes place, activities within the past few weeks have indicated that Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has started preparations for the 2015 elections.

Since the emergence of the new leadership of Lagos PDP under the chairmanship of Captain Tunji Shelle(retd), efforts have been in top gear to reconcile aggrieved members of the party and reposition the party to ‘capture’ the state in 2015.

Political Platform gathered that the leadership of the party had concluded plans, which is to resolve all crises within the party and guide members in their efforts to boost the party’s electoral fortunes in 2015, .

According to the state publicity secretary of the party, Taofeek Gani, the task confronting the new executives is to produce a united party and build a formidable opposition to ACN and spring the desired surprises in the 2015 polls.

Political Platform investigations revealed that the different interest groups in the party know that the time has come for them to make concerted efforts to bury their hatchet and build a formidable party, rather than foster disunity because of personal or selfish reasons.

Shelle stated that the new executive of the party is poised to redefine the basic issues in the politics by running an inclusive and responsible administration for the greater good of all members.

He further said the party has set an agenda for the next few years while it continues to make amends on the best methods and practices that will not only deepen democracy in the party but also ensure that the party delivers its objectives.

Shelle also made known that it is now overdue for PDP to form the next government in the state and 2015 is the target to realise this goal and the party is committed to this agenda.

According to the chairman, the party has agreed that a lot of work needs to be done and the party shall be open to criticism, especially where such criticism is constructive.

Shelle said the emphasis now is on renewal, making sure the party truly works as it should be, adding that the era of rumour mongering, mudslinging, creating mischief and all manner of anti-party activities is gone and this should be clear to all the members because these tendencies have not helped the party.

“While we shall adequately reward loyalty and commitment, we will be firm on constitutional sanctions on all manner of anti-party activities,” Shelle warned.

In order to achieve its aim in Lagos, PDP has consistently condemned the various policies of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration. The party pointed out that many of the policies in Lagos State are flawed because they do not serve the best interest of the people.

PDP  is of the view that there are valid issues on the lack of water in the Lagos metropolis, falling education standard and rise in the general poverty level in the state.

The party also called on the state governor to revisit what it calls anti-people policies like Lekki-Epe Expressway toll gates, hike in LASU fees, indiscriminate filling of the ocean and its environmental consequences, ban on okada operations and the Sunburn Yatch on Marina that had gulped over N4 billion.

In its reposition effort, Shelle’s administration organised a Democracy Day symposium. In attendance were chief Olabode George, his wife, Roli; Comrade Ayodele Akele and former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, who was a speaker at the event.

Babatope delivered a lecture on the “Need to promote family ties in Lagos PDP: Winning election as a case study.”  At the lecture, Babatope said Bode George is not a criminal but a sacrificial scapegoat.

He  calls for reconcile with aggrieved members of the party in order to win Lagos in 2015, adding that lack of unity cost Osun, Ogun and Oyo states’ PDP to lose to ACN.

According to Babatope, since 1999, PDP has not been in control of Lagos State due to lack of unity, despite the fact that the most dedicated members of PDP from Southwest are from Lagos. He implored the PDP at the national level to co-operate with Lagos PDP to win in 2015.

Speaking at the symposium, George said the era of factionalism or groups within the party is over, maintaining that Lagos PDP is now one and that no member should engage in any interest group within the party.

By Jamiu Yisa